[John_Conley]

Royal Melbourne
Ballybunion
Pacific Dunes-Bandon Trails-Old MacDonald
Cape Breton Highlands
Cypress Point

If there is a sixth, the Quarry at Giant's Ridge.

[JNC Lyon]

As always with these threads, it would be infinitely more enlightening were people to explain the reasons for their choice of courses (as well as the top five they have played, so we know what's being left out and what's simply not eligible).

Fine, Scott, be that way.

Wolf Point and Old Macdonald look like tons of fun, with lots of width and options.  They look more original and appealing than the run-of-the-mill minimalist masterpieces.

Cypress Point is the sistine chapel, and looks like its more fun than brutal courses like Pine Valley and Shinnecock that sit atop the US rankings.

NGLA and Fishers represent the best of MacDonald and Raynor respectively.  I think that the MacRaynor style is a hoot, and I would love to see both for that reason.  Furthermore, the setting and architecture of each looks ideal.

Those are the short answers for each.  I guess I've just been enchanted by all five for awhile.

[Rick Shefchik]

Scott has put a logical qualifier into the original question: why have you picked the five you picked, and what have you already played, so I'll start by stating that I've played Cypress, TOC, Pebble Beach and Sand Hills, which would all surely be on my Top Five if I hadn't been fortunate enough to play them already.

My remaining five would be:

1. Pine Valley. Reputed to be the best in the world by many; how can you fairly assess your other golf experiences if you haven't played Number One?
2. August National. I've walked it, and watched it hundreds of times. Who doesn't wonder what they'd do there with a club in their hands?
3. Royal County Down. This will stand in for all the Irish/Scottish courses I dearly want to play. I would make every effort to play Dornoch, Carnoustie, North Berwick, Muirfield and Turnberry if I return to Scotland, and Ballybunion, Portrush and Lahinch if I ever get to Ireland/N.I.
4. Seminole. The combination of Ross, Hogan, the Florida coastline and the ultra-exclusivity has always intrigued me.
5. NGLA (with a Shinnecock chaser.) I want to see CBM's laboratory, and play his versions of Scotland's greatest transplanted holes. Then I want to go next door see America's ultimate linksland course.

If I ever make it to these courses, I'd feel I'd done my best to educate myself as a golfer.

[Sean_A]

Well, I am going to be a bit more pedantic about my choices.  I have chosen them as my top 5 because I have standing invites to play them and they all look wonderful.  Honestly, I have kept track of all the "passing by" invites which may or may not be valid, but if I am going to the area of these courses the invitees will be contacted - if I can ever find the list!

Ballyneal
CPC
Kingsley Club
NGLA
Sand Hills

my very personal top 5 must be six

Cavendish
Enniscrone
Kington
Pennard
St Enodoc
Woking

Very close (meaning tomorrow they could be top 5), but no cigar:

Prestwick, North Berwick, Rye, Sligo, Beau Desert, Tenby, Brora, Lederach

Ciao

[Shane Wright]

Shane...

it's booked.  It is in early May of 2011.  I debated Bandon or Scotland...but I decided I've got to see Scotland first.  I can't wait!!!

As an FYI...if anyone wants to go with me and/or meet me there, that would be great!  Right now, Brian Phillips and I are the only ones who are lined up for the 4 spots I've got at Muirfield.  After that it is up to St. Andrews!!

Congrats on booking Mac.  We have ours booked for Aug. 2011. Make sure you play North Berwick West if you can.  I know you said you may run short on time but it is a must.  It is about 5 minutes from Muirfield.  Renaissance is literally next door to Muirfield.

I believe St. Andrew's opens up their tee times for reservation in September.  I think you mentioned this happens next week.  If you confirm this, let me know as I will be looking to book ours as well. 

Thanks Mac.

Shane
 

[Harris Nepon]

Cypress
Pine Valley
Kauri Cliffs
St. Andrews
Royal County Down

[Bruce Hospes]

Pine Valley
Seminole
Friars Head
Fishers Island
Augusta National

[Tom_Doak]

1.  Oakmont - is the only course in the top 50 I haven't played.  I've walked it 4-5 times but haven't been back since the trees came out.

2.  Banff Springs
3.  Jasper

4.  Teugega

5.  Lost Farm - so I can get back to Barnbougle and St. Andrews Beach, which I haven't played since Opening Day

[Carr Harris]

Just plop me down on Long Island with an all inclusive one week pass & I'll be good 


Other than that, RCD, TOC, & CPC immediately come to mind...

[Michael Taylor]

Haven't played your own course Tom?? Interesting.  

My Top 5 would be changing every day, but right now it is as follows:

1: Augusta (Because of the history, exclusivity, and grandeur of the course).
2: Pine Valley (Best golf course on earth apparantly, you'd be crazy not to pick it.)
3: Wolf Point (Massively wide fairways and reminiscant to St Andrews. And I love the look of the greens!)
4: St Andrews (Home of the game itself...)
5: Cypress Point (Just looks totally amazing.)

I'll post my updated 5 tomorrow!  

[John Mayhugh]

It's tough even listing the top 50 I would like to see, but here goes:

1.  Shinnecock - would love to compare it to the place next door

2.  Morfontaine - combining a visit here with seeing the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe would be nothing short of epic

3.  Hirono - Allison + dining on Kobe beef is quite the combination

4.  Pine Valley - no explanation needed

5.  Silloth on Solway - can it be as great as it looks?


Since I'm going to the GCA Boomerang in Australia, I was able to leave off the sandbelt from this list - reasoning that having at least tenous plans means I can list other options.  The five that almost made the top and might if I typed this on a different day:  Sand Hills, Royal Portrush, Mid Ocean Club, Machrihanish, & Myopia Hunt.

[JC Jones]

My list has more to do with learning about architects and style rather than just courses so here it goes:

1.  Merion - Obvious reasons given the work Flynn put in and seeing bunkers that arguably set the standard for bunker design in America.

2.  Shinnecock - To continue with Flynn (backups would include Rolling Green and Lancaster)

3.  NGLA - I've not seen a CBM course so why not start at the top!

4.  Fishers Island - I have likewise not seen any of Raynor's work.  Backup to this one is Yale.

5.  Pinehurst #2.  - I am really into Ross right now (good thing he did so much in North Carolina!) and would like to see more.  Backup to this is Holston Hills.

I guess it is pretty heavy on the Northeast but I need to see some of this work to get a better understanding.

[Cristian]

TOC
Cypress
Crystal Downs
NGLA
Pine Valley

[Dan Boerger]

TOC
Dornoch
Sand Hills
Cypress
Oakmont

[Matt Bosela]

Augusta - Because anyone saying they aren't dying to play here is just a GCA snob, a liar, or both - or a realist I guess!

Royal County Down - Because it means I finally will have made the pilgrimage to Ireland

TOC - Because it means I finally will have made the pilgrimage to Scotland

Pacific Dunes - Because it means I finally will have made the pilgrimage to the Bandon Dunes Resort

Cypress - Tough call over PV but I stand behind the choice

[Bill_McBride]

Tim...I just don't think I can do it.

Here is what I've got so far...

starting out with Muirfield, Rennasaince, and Musselburgh Old.  My understanding is that Renassiance is right next to Muirfield, so that should be easy.  And I am a history goof...so I've got to do Musselburgh.  I am debating North Berwick, but time is an issue.

then heading up to St. Andrews for The Old Course.  I don't have this set up yet.  I think they open advanced bookings next week.  So I should know more soon.  I may play a course or two more there, but ideally I'd like to play TOC a few times.  I am thinking that may not happen...but we will see.

Then I am going to do whatever it takes to play Askernish.  I don't care if I have to bicycle across Scotland and swim to the place.  I'm doing it.

So, I am wondering if The Machrie is too much.  I think so.  So, I'll have to hit that next time.

I know this might be too aggressive for some people's taste, but I get motivated and surges of energy and I think I can do it...then crash for a month!!  

Mac, I think the Links Trust opens up 2011 bookings for the Old Course in September, at least that's what it was when I booked for a group of 8 in 2008.

http://www.standrews.org.uk/Playing-golf-in-St-Andrews/How-to-book.aspx

Are you going with a group?  If not, your best bet is to turn up at the starter's hut at 6 a.m., you'll get out.

The Reverse Course program (around April 1st every year) is great fun.  You get a round on the the Old, one on the Reverse Old, and one on the New or Jubilee for about the price of a round on the Old in mid-season.

Whatever you do you will love just being in St Andrews!

If you are in East Lothian, North Berwick is essential, not to be missed.

[Martin Toal]

Pine Valley

Bandon Dunes

Sand Hills

Rock Creek

Chambers Bay

[Martin Toal]

The problem with lists is the inherent limitations.  I'll stick with the U.S.

The Top Courses that I think I'd love the most would be:

1. Oakmont
2. Garden City
3. Ridgewood
4. Fenway
5. Plainfield

Or I could easily go with five on Long Island:

1. NGLA
2. Shinnecock
3. Maidstone
4. Friar's Head
5. Deepdale  

Or I could go with the Top Five With Municipal Names:

1. Baltimore
2. San Francisco
3. Philadelphia
4. Denver
5. Atlanta

Or the Tough Ticket List:

1. Augusta National
2. Pine Valley
3. Indian Creek
4. Fisher Island
5. Alotian Club

Or the Five That I Could Drive (to):

1. Crystal Downs
2. Kingsley
3. Old Elm
4. Onwentsia
5. Glen Flora

That's how 5 becomes 25.  And I haven't even left the country!

Terry, go on then, give us the list of 5 overseas courses

[Blair Mancini]

1) Cypress Point

2) Bandon (all - that only counts as one, right?)

2) Fisher's Island

4) St. Andrews (Old and New)

5) Semniole

Did I cheat by naming, like, 9 courses in my top five?

[Matthew Petersen]

Pebble Beach
Cypress Point
The Old Course
Augusta National
Castle Pines. Because I grew up in Denver and would go out there for the tournament every year. Have walked it so many times but would love to actually play it.

[Tom Birkert]

Hirono - would be a great excuse to go to Japan, would love to experience the different way that the Japanese do a round of golf

Bandon - I'm including the entire resort as a cheat here. Think my next trip to California will have to be extended by a few days so I can fly up there and see it. Old MacDonald looks to be the cherry on the icing on the top of the cake. I love that it looks to be all about golf there. Which leads me on to...

Sand Hills - I know it's in the middle of nowhere, but Friar's Head has whetted my appetite for Coore and Crenshaw courses. I like the idea of solitude and camaraderie amongst golfers who are sharing a very special experience.

Augusta National - As much for the experience as anything. I will admit to liking to play on what are perceived as the "best" courses, so I'd be interested to see how Augusta compares to the likes of Shinnecock, Pine Valley, Merion, Oakmont etc

Kingston Heath - I love the look of the entire sand belt down there, but I loved the look of the bunkering. Again it would mean I was in Australia which would mean I'd be able to play all the other wonderful courses down there.

There are many more which would enter the discussion (Peachtree, SFGC, Fisher's Island, Chicago GC etc) but those are my current five.

[Mark Pearce]

Maybe I should put North Berwick ahead of Musselburgh.  Its got history, hell its got The Redan.  Tough decisions...good decisions...but tricky some times.

Yes, you should.  Also, please tell me you're not making the mistake of playing 18 in the morning and somewhere else in the afternoon every day.  Please reassure me that you "get it" enough to play 36 and have lunch at Muirfield, at least.  Also, whilst I haven't played it I can't see why you would fly all the way to Scotland to place the Renaissance Club high on a list of courses you want to play.  I'm sure it's absolutely excellent but isn't a trip like this about Scottish golf and its history>?  I can see a repeat or serial visitor going to RC and really getting something out of it but I just can't see it featuring in an itinerary of the first 5/10 Scottish courses you play.  

[JC Urbina]

1) Banff / Jasper  - Saw it in a Coffee table book back in the early eighties with the hotel and mountains framed in the picture, same day I saw The National Golf links picture of # 17.  Said to myself I gotta see these two golf courses.  Although I am almost afraid to go and see Banff.

2) Pennard - Have always been impressed with the photo's and want to see Wales.

3) Moortown/ Alwoodley - Need to see where it all started for the Dr.

4) Royal Melbourne - Word has it that if I don't see and play the composite  golf course my life is not complete.

5) Augusta - Have attended the tourney - Would like the chance to walk and play just once.  Really started to watch golf on TV and saw Jack win on that famous day back in the middle 80's

[Kirk Gill]

I'll throw down two fives - one made up of courses in my neck of the woods, and one that has a wider scope.


Ballyneal
Colorado Golf Club
Cherry Hills
Sanctuary
Castle Pines

All are within an hour or two of the homestead, and it would be amazing to see them all. I had the opportunity to play Denver Country Club, which had been a "golf-life-long" dream of mine, and getting a crack at the above-listed courses would be great.


Merion
Pine Valley
NGLA
Royal Dornoch
Lahinch

A kid can dream, right?

[Jud_T]

NGLA
North Berwick
Old Mac
Brancaster
Westward Ho!

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